Pherima V.C. ultimatumPherima Village Council on Tuesday issued a 7-day ultimatum from December 21 to the authorities to arrest the culprits involved in the vandalizing of a hotel on December 20 evening at Pherima and warned that it would take its own course of action, if they failed to do so. A joint press release issued by the head GB of Pherima ‘A’ village H Vikato Aye, GB Pherima ‘A’ village Z Vihoshe Zhimomi, Head GB Pherima ‘B’ village K Izheho Zhimomi and chairman Pherima ‘B’ village N Yeveto Yeptho alleged that the mob was led by some youth claiming themselves to be the presidents of Angami Youth Organization (AYO), Angami Students Union (ASU) and Naga Students’ Federation (NSF). Further, they also maintained that the goods damaged were worth Rs.6,49,645 while cash amounting to Rs.2,54,000 was also taken away. AYO warns Pherima V.C. Reacting to media reports on the incident at Pherima on December 19 night, the Angami Youth Association has described them as “incomplete, distorted and one-sided version”, while tracing the genesis of the incident.According to AYO vice president Kekhrievolie Keyho and general secretary Rünavilhou Kin, the incident on December 19 occurred when the AYO executive had stopped by for food after touring the Angami region under the “Environment Protection Programme”.While having food, the AYO members asked for boiled vegetables from the hotel boy but he replied there was no more. When asked to boil some, the boy reportedly slipped out and brought a local youth. On entering the hotel, the local youth asked what happened, in Nagamese. When one of the AYO members replied they wanted vegetables, the local youth punched one of them .Shocked over this, the Angami youth caught hold of the local youth and a physical confrontation ensued. The AYO said, within no time, “inebriated youths from Pherima village” assaulted the AYO members, then deflated their vehicle tyres and allegedly robbed them of their mobile phone and wallet. In order to defuse the situation, the AYO president disclosed his identity but to no avail as the assault continued with verbal abuse of their tribe, they alleged. It was only after the intervention of nearby hoteliers, travelers and elders, that the AYO team was able to leave Pherima. The next day, some of the AYO leaders and friends went to Pherima to resolve the issue and to identify the identity of the assaulting party. However, AYO said, when confronted, the hotel owner “claimed ignorance” of the incident and this reportedly infuriated the youth who damaged “some hotel properties and manhandled the attendant”.AYO alleged, that after this, some youth from Pherima “fired rounds of shots” and went charging with “wooden clubs, spears, machetes” and pelting stones Despite the efforts of the AYO , the stone pelting continued, they said.Just when the Angami youth were about to retaliate, some elders of Pherima identifying themselves as village council chairman, Vikato GB and another GB of Pherima elders and womenfolk met the AYO leaders who then briefed the Pherima elders about the incident and the reason for their presence.At the meeting, the AYO executive asked that the culprits be produced “within two days before the AYO at Kohima” and which was unconditionally agreed by the Pherima elders.However, as the AYO team was about to leave, some Pherima youths attacked them with ‘machetes and wooden clubs” injuring some youth and damaging some vehicles.The AYO leaders said the attack was a “breach of trust” and failure of the Pherima elders and women folks in controlling their youth. The signatories said while AYO exercised restraint in the hope that the Pherima elders and women folks would “keep their word and meet the AYO” before expiry of the deadline on December 22, no one turned up.In view of the failure of the Pherima elders and women folks in turning up, the AYO has warned that it will not hesitate to take its own course of action and shall not bear responsibility for any consequences.